Pro Clubs Lab

Archetypes Deep Dive

Learn more about each archetype and how they work.

Choose Archetype

Shot Stopper

Unphased when faced with an attacker one-on-one, can be relied upon to make difficult saves.

Inspired by Oliver Kahn

Welcome to ProClubsLab

Understanding the Archetype System

In EA FC 26 Pro Clubs, there are 13 unique archetypes across four positions: 2 Goalkeepers, 4 Defenders,4 Midfielders, and 3 Attackers. Each archetype represents a distinct playing style inspired by legendary footballers.

Your archetype determines your base attributes, signature playstyles, and available specializations. Understanding how these systems work together is key to building an effective player.

Core Components

What Makes Up Your Player

Archetypes

Each archetype has its own unique:

  • Base Attributes: Starting values for all attributes that determine your player's capabilities
  • Key Attributes: The most important attributes for that archetype
  • Signature Playstyles: 2 playstyles unique to the archetype (start as Base/Silver, upgrade to Plus/Gold)
  • Signature Perks: 2 perks that activate during matches
  • Specializations: 3 specialized builds you can equip later
  • Physical Ranges: Height and weight limits specific to the archetype

Attributes & Caps

Attributes determine your player's abilities on the pitch. Each archetype has different attribute caps:

  • Attributes can be upgraded using Attribute Points (AP)
  • Each attribute has a maximum cap that varies by archetype
  • For example, a Finisher can reach 99 Finishing, while a Creator might cap at 92
  • These caps ensure each archetype maintains its unique identity

Height & Weight Effects

Your physical build directly affects your attributes:

  • Taller players: Gain bonuses to Jumping, Sprint Speed, and Strength, but lose Acceleration, Agility, and Balance
  • Shorter players: Gain bonuses to Acceleration, Agility, and Balance, but lose Jumping, Sprint Speed, and Strength
  • Weight effects: Heavier players gain Strength but lose Acceleration and Agility
  • Each archetype has its own height and weight ranges (min, default, max)
  • Effects scale based on how far you deviate from the archetype's default height/weight

Example: A Finisher at max height (190cm) gains +3 to Jumping and Strength, but loses -3 to Acceleration and Agility compared to the default height.

Progression & Attribute Points

How Your Player Grows

Leveling Up Your Archetype

As you play matches, you earn Archetype XP (AXP) which progresses your archetype level (1-60).

Attribute Points (AP)

  • Each archetype level rewards AP that you can spend to upgrade attributes
  • AP amounts increase at milestone levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60)
  • Level 1 grants 100 AP, with additional AP earned at each subsequent level
  • The cost to upgrade attributes increases as they get higher

Signature PlayStyle Upgrades

  • Signature playstyles start as Base (Silver) tier
  • First signature PlayStyle upgrades to Plus (Gold) at Level 30
  • Second signature PlayStyle upgrades to Plus (Gold) at Level 50
  • Plus playstyles provide enhanced effects compared to Base tier

Unlock Milestones

  • New PlayStyle slots unlock at various levels
  • Additional signature perks unlock at specific levels
  • Card upgrades (Bronze → Silver → Gold) occur at milestone levels

Playstyles System

Understanding Base, Signature, and Plus Playstyles

PlayStyle Types

Base Playstyles (Silver)

Standard playstyles you can equip in addition to your signature playstyles. These have unlock criteria requiring certain attribute values.

  • You can equip multiple base playstyles (limited slots)
  • Each base PlayStyle has unlock criteria - certain attributes must reach minimum values
  • Example: "Power Shot" might require 85+ Shot Power and 80+ Long Shots

Signature Playstyles

Unique to your archetype. These start as Base (Silver) and automatically upgrade to Plus (Gold) as you level up.

  • Always equipped and cannot be removed
  • Upgrade at Level 30 (first) and Level 50 (second)
  • No unlock criteria required - they're part of your archetype

PlayStyle+ (Gold)

Enhanced versions of playstyles with more powerful effects.

  • Your signature playstyles automatically become Plus at higher levels
  • Specializations provide PlayStyle+ options that can replace signature playstyles
  • Plus playstyles have stronger in-game effects

Specializations System

Customizing Your Build

What Are Specializations?

Specializations are advanced builds that provide unique playstyles and perks. Each archetype has 3 specializations to choose from, inspired by legendary players.

Unlock Criteria

  • Each specialization has unlock criteria - specific attribute requirements
  • You must reach the required attribute values to unlock a specialization
  • You can spend AP to meet the criteria if you're close
  • Example: A specialization might require 85+ Dribbling and 80+ Ball Control

Specialization Components

When you equip a specialization, you gain:

  • PlayStyle+ (Gold): A powerful gold-tier PlayStyle unique to the specialization
  • Additional Perks: 1-2 perks that activate during matches

Equipping Specializations

When you equip a specialization, you have two options:

Option 1: Swap with Signature PlayStyle

Replace one of your signature playstyles with the specialization's PlayStyle+. This gives you the powerful gold PlayStyle but removes one signature PlayStyle.

Option 2: Skip PlayStyle, Keep Perks

Keep all your signature playstyles and only gain the additional perks from the specialization. This maximizes perk options but doesn't give you the PlayStyle+.

Perks System

In-Game Active Abilities

What Are Perks?

Perks are active abilities that trigger during matches when specific actions are performed. They provide temporary attribute boosts or special effects.

Perk Types

  • Signature Perks: 2 perks unique to your archetype, available from Level 1
  • Additional Perks: Extra perks from specializations or unlockable at higher levels

How Perks Work

Perks activate automatically when you perform specific actions in-game:

Example: "Ankle Breaker"

Trigger: Fake shot to beat an opponent in the attacking third
Effect: Short boost to Balance, Ball Control, and Dribbling

Example: "Cut and Shoot"

Trigger: Shoot after entering the box from the wing
Effect: Short boost to Finishing, Curve, and Shot Power

Example: "One Two"

Trigger: Do a Pass and Go in the opponent's half
Effect: Short boost to Acceleration, Ball Control, and Balance

Perk Strategy

  • Perks provide temporary attribute boosts that can turn the tide in crucial moments
  • Choose perks that match your PlayStyle - if you dribble a lot, choose dribbling-related perks
  • Specialization perks can stack with signature perks for powerful combinations
  • Some perks unlock at higher levels (e.g., Level 40+)

Building Your Player

Step-by-Step Guide

Planning Your Build

  1. Choose Your Archetype: Select based on your preferred position and PlayStyle. Consider each archetype's strengths, attribute caps, and signature abilities.
  2. Set Your Height & Weight: Decide on your physical build. Remember that height and weight affect attributes - choose based on what attributes you want to prioritize.
  3. Plan Your Attributes: Use AP to upgrade attributes strategically. Focus on key attributes for your archetype, but also consider attribute requirements for playstyles and specializations you want.
  4. Unlock Base Playstyles: As you level up and upgrade attributes, you'll meet criteria to unlock additional base playstyles that complement your build.
  5. Choose a Specialization: Once you meet the unlock criteria, select a specialization that fits your PlayStyle. Decide whether to swap for the PlayStyle+ or keep all signature playstyles for perks.
  6. Optimize Perks: Select perks that activate with actions you frequently perform in-game.

About Shot Stopper

Inspired by Oliver Kahn

Unphased when faced with an attacker one-on-one, can be relied upon to make difficult saves.

Key Attributes

AccelerationGK DivingGK HandlingGK Reflexes

Signature Playstyles

Footwork (Base → Plus)Far Reach (Base → Plus)

Ready to Build?

Start creating your player now

Now that you understand how the archetype system works, you're ready to create your perfect player build!

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